Taiwan rejects Nauru's 'Province of China' label, says 'does not reflect reality'

The Taipei Trade Office in Fiji has rejected the Nauru government's characterisation of Taiwan as a "province" of China.

This week, Nauru's Cabinet issued a wide-ranging directive to all government officials and public bodies in-country and abroad to adhere to the One-China Principle, advising them to "avoid using terminology, symbols, flags, emblems, or representations which are inconsistent with the One China Principle".

"All official communication relating to the Taiwan Province of China must comply with the diplomatic position of the Government of Nauru," the directive said.

It advised officials not to enter into official relations and arrangements with the "Taiwan Province authorities" or participate in programme funded by the "Taiwan Province."

Nauru became the first nation after the election of Taiwan's president Lai Ching-te, to switch diplomatic recognition from Taiwan to China in January 2024.

However, the Taipei Trade Office in Suva - Taiwan's unofficial embassy in Fiji - rejected the description by the Micronesian nation.

"The Republic of China (Taiwan) is a sovereign and self-governing democracy of 23 million people. Taiwan possesses all the elements commonly associated with statehood under international law, including a permanent population, defined territory, elected government, and the capacity to conduct foreign relations," it said in a statement to RNZ Pacific.

"The People's Republic of China has never exercised sovereignty, jurisdiction, nor administrative control over Taiwan at any point in history.

"Taiwan therefore rejects and will not accept any characterisation of Taiwan as a 'province' of any other country, which in this case, refers to the People's Republic of China. Such terminology simply does not reflect reality."

The Taipei Trade Office said Taiwan's engagement in the Pacific has always been guided by partnership, mutual respect, transparency, and shared democratic values.

"Taiwan believes development assistance should never be conditioned on political coercion, nor should Pacific peoples be restricted from engaging with international partners of their own choosing.

"As members of the wider Pacific family, Taiwan and Pacific Island nations share common challenges, particularly climate change, disaster resilience, sustainable development, and maritime security."

Taiwan will continue to work with like-minded regional and international partners to support a free, open, resilient, and prosperous Pacific region, it added.

"Taiwan also firmly believes that maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait is in the interests of the entire Indo-Pacific region. Constructive dialogue, mutual respect, and opposition to unilateral coercion remain essential principles for preserving regional stability."